Hurst’s annual show jumping competition returned to the All England Show Jumping Course at Hickstead, by the kind permission of the Bunn Family, after an enforced break. The event was well supported by local schools with more than 40 teams competing.
Class one set the tone for the day, with intense competition and a technical course of 65 – 70cm jumps, built by professional track designer, Glen Mac Roberts Smith. The three top teams all finished on a score of zero, with little time difference between them. It was Great Walstead who claimed victory with all four members jumping double clear rounds in a very quick time of 87.36 seconds. Burgess Hill Girls and Cottesmore School finished in second and third, respectively.
Class two provided new challenges for the riders with 75 – 80 cm jumps. Another fiercely competitive class displaying some talented riders. Farlington School took victory as. the only school to complete the competition on zero faults and were 18 seconds clear of the field. Farlington also took home the individual honours, courtesy of Flora R in a time of 31.02 seconds, closely followed by Oliver C (Seaford) and Darcey W (Farlington) in second and third. Seaford were runners up in the team competition, with Burgess Hill Girls in third, just 0.13 seconds behind Seaford.
The most popular class of the day was the 85-90cm, with 20 teams battling it out. Steyning Grammar School’s team were one of four teams who finished on zero faults and completed the course in a time of 142.2 seconds to finish in third place. Hurst’s Red team of Lauren W, Harriet B, Freddie L and Antonia W completed in the course in 118.48 seconds to take second place. The winners were Seaford College Blue team whose riders all all jumped double clears to finish five seconds ahead of Hurst in 113.25 seconds. The individual honours went to Hurst in the form of Lauren Won My Time IV who stormed home in a time of 32.25 seconds. Seaford’s Emma P and Alice Completed the podium.
The talent displayed throughout the day was impeccable. All winning teams and individuals were awarded the coveted Hurst red rugs and all participants were awarded with rosettes.
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